Daily Encouragementਨਮੂਨਾ

Here, Amos is answering Amaziah, Bethel’s priest, who is seeking to silence his ministry and ban him from the northern kingdom. Amos’ remarks emphasize some important things about the ministry of the word in every age.

The ministry of the word is not hereditary - “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son.” There are few greater pleasures for a father than to sit under his son’s ministry, but it must not be forced. Sometimes God calls his ministers from families which have little connection with the faith, let alone the ministry.

The ministry of the word is not limited to the cultured and learned - “I was a shepherd . . . ” God does call his Pauls, but he also calls “unschooled ordinary men,” (Acts 4:13) - fishermen, shepherds and the like.

The ministry of the word is not confined to conventional, official, regular channels - “Don’t prophesy any more at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary” (Amos 7:13). Only regular, properly approved prophets here!

The ministry of the word cannot be silenced when God has called - “But the Lord took me from tending the flock . . . Now then, hear the word of the Lord . . . ” When, on trying to enter the ministry of the Methodist Church, G. Campbell Morgan was turned down, he sent his father a short message: “Rejected.” The reply came back, “Rejected on earth; accepted in heaven.” And so it was!